Miss Historian and Her Lady Guide (The Love We Found)

New Beginnings

Back at their small guesthouse in Manila, Roxan and Dana sat on the terrace, overlooking the vibrant city below. The sounds of street vendors, traffic, and laughter floated up to them, a comforting reminder of the life around them. The day had been long and filled with emotion, but they were still riding the high of their discovery at San Agustin Church.

Dana leaned back in her chair, a contented smile playing on her lips. "So, how do we start?" she asked, glancing at Roxan. "A book? An article? A podcast, maybe?"

Roxan chuckled softly. "All of the above, probably," she replied. "But I think we start with the letters. We have enough to begin telling María and Isabel's story... their love, their courage. It feels like something the world needs to hear."

Dana nodded. "Definitely," she agreed. "We can reach out to some publishers, maybe even local museums. There are so many ways to share what we've found."

Roxan's eyes sparkled with excitement, but there was a hint of uncertainty in her voice. "Do you think people will care?" she asked softly. "Will they see the importance of a love story from the 1800s, between two women who dared to defy their world?"

Dana reached out, taking Roxan's hand in hers. "They'll care," she said with conviction. "Love is universal. It transcends time, place, and circumstance. People will see that María and Isabel's story is as much about them as it is about us."

Roxan smiled, squeezing Dana's hand. "You always know just what to say," she murmured. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

Dana grinned. "Lucky for you, you won't have to find out," she teased.

They sat in comfortable silence for a few moments, enjoying the cool evening breeze. The sun was beginning to set, casting a golden glow over the city. Roxan felt a deep sense of peace settle in her chest—a feeling that had grown stronger since she had met Dana.

"Do you ever think about... the future?" Roxan asked suddenly, her voice hesitant.

Dana raised an eyebrow, amused. "All the time," she replied. "Why? Do you have something in mind?"

Roxan hesitated, then nodded. "I was thinking... after we've told María and Isabel's story, maybe we could—" She paused, gathering her thoughts. "Maybe we could think about what's next for us."

Dana's eyes softened. "You mean, like... our own story?" she asked gently.

Roxan nodded, feeling her cheeks flush. "Yes," she said. "I mean... we've spent so much time digging into the past. But I want to think about our future, too. I want to know where we go from here."

Dana's smile widened, her eyes gleaming with affection. "I like the sound of that," she said. "I want to write that story with you, Roxan. Whatever it looks like, wherever it takes us."

Roxan felt a rush of warmth flood her chest. "Me too," she whispered. "I've never felt so sure about anything."

They shared a tender kiss, the kind that felt like a promise. As they pulled away, Dana chuckled. "Okay, Ms. Historian," she teased. "Let's figure out what our next chapter looks like. How about... we start with a road trip?"

Roxan laughed, her heart light. "A road trip?" she asked, surprised.

Dana nodded, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Yeah! We've been in research mode for so long. Maybe it's time to take a break, explore more of the country, see where life takes us. We can go to Sagada, Baguio, or even Palawan... and let the story come to us."

Roxan considered this, feeling a sense of excitement bubbling up. "I like that idea," she said, nodding. "A road trip sounds perfect. Just us, the open road, and wherever our hearts lead us."

Dana grinned. "Exactly. And who knows? Maybe we'll find another story waiting for us out there... or maybe we'll just find ourselves."

The idea felt freeing, like a breath of fresh air after weeks of intense research. Roxan realized how much she had needed this, how much she wanted to explore, not just the history that fascinated her, but also the present and the future with Dana by her side.

They spent the rest of the evening planning their adventure, marking destinations on a map, imagining the places they would visit and the stories they might find. As the night grew deeper, they leaned into each other, their heads touching, and their laughter mingling with the sounds of the city.

---

The next morning, they packed their bags and checked out of the guesthouse, eager to begin their road trip. They rented a small car and set off, leaving Manila behind, the city's skyline fading in the rearview mirror.

Their first stop was Vigan, a quaint town in Ilocos Sur, known for its cobblestone streets and Spanish-era architecture. As they walked hand in hand through the charming streets, Roxan could feel the weight of the past lifting, replaced by a sense of adventure and freedom. They visited old houses, sampled local delicacies, and even took a carriage ride under the moonlight, laughing and enjoying each moment.

In the days that followed, they traveled up to the mountains of Sagada, where they hiked through lush forests and watched the sunrise from the cliffs, a breathtaking view that seemed to stretch on forever. They visited the hanging coffins, an ancient burial tradition, and Roxan marveled at the way the past and present seemed to coexist so seamlessly in this beautiful country.

One evening, they found themselves sitting around a bonfire with a group of locals and travelers. Stories were shared, songs were sung, and Dana, ever the entertainer, joined in with a lively tune, her voice carrying through the crisp night air. Roxan watched her, her heart swelling with love and admiration.

As the fire crackled and the stars twinkled overhead, Dana returned to Roxan's side, her cheeks flushed from singing and dancing. "Having fun?" she asked, a playful grin on her lips.

Roxan nodded, her eyes shining with emotion. "More than I ever imagined," she replied. "Thank you for bringing me on this adventure."

Dana leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss to Roxan's forehead. "Thank you for saying yes," she whispered. "To the road trip, to the research, to... everything."

Roxan smiled, feeling a sense of belonging she hadn't felt in a long time. "I'll always say yes to you," she murmured. "Whatever comes next, I'm ready for it."

They continued their journey, each day bringing new experiences, new stories, and new moments that made Roxan's heart feel fuller than ever. Along the way, they documented their travels, capturing their experiences in pictures and journals, knowing that this was a story they would cherish forever.

One evening, as they sat on a quiet beach in Palawan, watching the sun dip below the horizon, Roxan turned to Dana, her expression thoughtful. "You know," she began, "I think we've found our next story."

Dana smiled, tilting her head. "Oh? What's that?"

Roxan took a deep breath. "Us," she said simply. "Our story. Two women in love, chasing history, and writing our own."

Dana's smile widened, and she reached out to tuck a strand of hair behind Roxan's ear. "That sounds like the best story yet," she whispered. "And I'm so glad it's ours."

They sat there, hand in hand, watching the sun set on another beautiful day, knowing that their journey was just beginning. And as the stars began to twinkle in the night sky, they knew that whatever lay ahead, they would face it together, with love, courage, and an unbreakable bond that would carry them through every chapter to come.